Structural Assemblies and Preforms Therefor Formed by Linear Friction Welding

ABSTRACT

A structural assembly and a preform and method for forming the structural assembly are provided. The preform can be formed by linear friction welding structural members to a base member and friction welding each structural member to at least one of the other structural members. The resulting preform can be formed with dimensions and a configuration that approximate the dimensions and configuration of the structural assembly. Thus, the structural assembly can be formed by joining multiple members that are generally smaller than the finished assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.10/738,594, filed Dec. 16, 2003, which is hereby incorporated herein inits entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to friction welding and, more specifically, tofriction welding of one or more structural members to form a structuralassembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Structural devices are often formed as assemblies of a number of smallerstructural members. Such assembling of individual members may benecessary to form devices that are too large or too complicated to beformed by conventional manufacturing methods. For example, such factorsas casting sizes, forging sizes, available plate and block sizes, andthe like can limit the size and geometry of the individual structuralmembers that can be manufactured. To form larger or more complexdevices, the structural members are typically assembled by joining theindividual structural members using a variety of known joiningtechniques including, for example, mechanical fastening or welding.

Joints formed by mechanical fasteners such as rivets, screws, and boltstypically require an overlap of the structural materials at the joint.The fasteners and the overlap of material result in an increase inweight of the joint and the structural assembly. The joint can alsointroduce areas of increased stress, for example, around holes drilledfor receiving rivets. Alternatively, weld joints can be formed to jointhe structural members, sometimes requiring little or no overlap ofmaterial. However, the formation of conventional weld joints, such as byarc or electron beam welding, can result in undesirable dimensionalchanges in the structural members. Welding can also introduce porosityor other discontinuities into the structural members or otherwise causeunwanted changes to the material properties of the structural members.

Friction welding has also been proposed as an alternative toconventional welding methods for joining members. Weld joints formed byfriction welding generally exhibit refined grain structure as comparedto weld joints formed by other conventional weld techniques such asplasma arc welding. Linear friction welding and rotational frictionwelding can be used to form strong joints without reducing themechanical characteristics of the joined materials or causingsignificant dimensional changes. However, each of these conventionalfriction welding techniques is limited by the dimensions of thestructural members and/or the joints to be formed. For example,conventional linear friction welding and rotational friction weldingrequire one member to be moved, i.e., oscillated or rotated, and urgedagainst the other member. Because of the difficulty of moving largestructural members, it can be impossible or impractical to join somestructural members by these techniques.

Thus, there exists a need for an improved apparatus and method ofjoining structural members to form structural assemblies. Preferably,the method should enable the manufacture of preforms that approximatethe desired dimensions and configuration of the structural assembly andtherefore require little machining or other subsequent processing toform the structural assemblies. The method should be adaptable forjoining large and/or complex structural members. Further, the methodshould not add significant weight to the structural assembly, and shouldminimize dimensional changes and undesirable changes to the materialproperties of the structural members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a preform and method for forming africtionally welded structural assembly. The method includes linearfriction welding structural members to a base member and welding eachstructural member to one or more of the adjacent structural members. Theresulting preform can be formed with dimensions and a configuration thatapproximate the dimensions and configuration of the structural assembly.Thus, the assembly can be formed from the preform with a reduced amountof machining or other processing, thereby saving time, materials, andenergy. Further, the structural assembly can be formed by joiningmultiple members that are generally smaller than the finished assembly.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the methodincludes reciprocatingly moving a first structural member relative tothe base member and urging the first structural member against a firstsurface of the base member. A plasticized region of material is formedbetween the first structural member and the base member, and the firststructural member is thereby linear friction welded to the base member.The first structural member defines a connection surface that extendsfrom the base member at an angle relative to the first surface of thebase member. A second structural member can be urged against theconnection surface and the base member and reciprocatingly moved tolinear friction weld the second structural member to the base member andthe first structural member. The connection surface of the firststructural member and a corresponding surface of the second structuralmember can be disposed at an oblique angle relative to the first surfaceof the base member. Additional structural members can also be frictionwelded to the base member and one or more of the other structuralmembers. After the structural members are welded to the base member, thebase member and/or the structural members can be machined to thepredetermined configuration of the structural assembly. The base membersand structural members can be formed of materials such as aluminum,aluminum alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, steel, nickel-based alloys,copper-based alloys, and beryllium-based alloys.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, first andsecond structural members can be linear friction welded to a base memberso that the two structural members define a space therebetween. Forexample, the first and second structural members can have connectionsurfaces disposed so that the space tapers in a direction toward thebase member. A third structural member can then be linear frictionwelded to the base member and the first and second structural members inthe space between the first and second structural members.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, first andsecond structural members can be linear friction welded to a base memberso that connection surfaces of the structural members are directed in anopposing configuration to define an interface therebetween. A rotatingfriction stir welding pin can be urged through the structural members toform a friction stir weld joint that extends generally along theinterface and joins the first and second structural members. Accordingto one aspect of the invention, the friction stir welding tool is urgedalong a path that is not parallel to the interface. Also, the structuralmembers can be positioned with a space at the interface, and the spacecan be filled with plasticized material during the friction stir weldingoperation.

The present invention also provides a preform for forming a structuralassembly of a predetermined configuration. The preform includes a basemember and structural members that are connected by linear friction weldjoints to the base member. The adjacent structural members also definecorrespondingly angled connection surfaces that are connected by afriction weld joint such as a linear friction weld joint or frictionstir weld joint. Advantageously, the base and structural members can beconfigured to correspond to the predetermined configuration of thestructural assembly. The base member and the structural members can beformed of materials such as aluminum, aluminum alloys, titanium,titanium alloys, steel, nickel-based alloys, copper-based alloys, andberyllium-based alloys.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention, andthe manner in which the same are accomplished, will become more readilyapparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of theinvention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whichillustrate preferred and exemplary embodiments, but which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a partially formed preformaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the partially formed preformof FIG. 1, shown with a third structural member;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a preform made with the basemember and structural members shown in FIG. 2, according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a structural assembly madewith the preform of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a partially formed preformaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the partially formed preformof FIG. 5, shown with two additional structural members;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a preform made with the basemember and structural members shown in FIG. 6 according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a structural assembly madewith the preform of FIG. 7 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a preform according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a section view illustrating the preform of FIG. 9, as seenalong line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a structural assembly made with thepreform of FIG. 9 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a section view of the structural assembly of FIG. 11, as seenalong line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a partially formed preformaccording to another embodiment of the present invention, shown duringformation of the first friction stir weld joint; and

FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating the partially formed preform of FIG.13, shown during formation of the second friction stir weld joint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring to the drawings and, in particular, to FIGS. 1-4, there isillustrated a base member 22 and structural members 24, 26, 28 for usein manufacturing a structural assembly 10 according to one embodiment ofthe present invention. The structural assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 4includes a flange portion 12 that extends perpendicularly from a webportion 14. The structural assemblies formed according to the presentinvention can be formed from preforms, i.e., assemblies of multiplestructural members that approximate the desired finished shape of thestructural assembly, and which can be machined or otherwise trimmed tothe finished shape. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates a preform 20, i.e.,a partially formed structural assembly 10 before being machined orotherwise trimmed to the desired configuration of the structuralassembly 10 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The structural assemblies 10 of the present invention can be formed fromany number of structural members depending on the desired dimensions andconfiguration of the structural assembly 10. Further, the configurationand material composition of the structural members can be formed andselected according to the specifications and design requirements of thestructural assembly 10. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4,the web portion 14 of the assembly 10 is formed from the base member 22,and the flange portion 12 is formed from the structural members 24, 26,28 that are connected to the base member 22.

The base member 22 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a generally planar memberand each of the structural members 24, 26, 28 extending therefrom isgenerally trapezoidal. In other embodiments of the invention, however,the structural members 24, 26, 28 can define other configurationsincluding irregular geometric configurations. Similarly, the base member22 can alternatively be formed of non-planar members. Advantageously,each of the base member 22 and the structural members 24, 26, 28 can bestandard stock members or stock members that have been modified. Forexample, each of the structural members 24, 26, 28 and the base member22 can be, or can be formed from, blocks or plates that have rectangularor square cross-sections, tubes and cylinders having circular or ovalcross-sections, plates, angles or channels having a variety ofcross-sectional shapes, or the like. As is known in the art, the baseand structural members 22, 24, 26, 28 can be formed from a variety offabricating processes including milling, casting, die or hand forging,extruding, rolling, and machining. The base and structural members 22,24, 26, 28 can be formed from materials having high strength to weightratios and good corrosion resistance. For purposes of example only andnot limitation, the structural assembly 10 can comprise aluminum,aluminum alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, steel, nickel-based alloys,copper-based alloys, beryllium-based alloys, or mixtures thereof.Further, the base and structural members 22, 24, 26, 28 can be formedfrom similar or dissimilar materials.

In addition to the material composition and properties of the base andstructural members 22, 24, 26, 28 the selection of the members 22, 24,26, 28 is also based on the desired dimensions of the structuralassembly 10 that is to be formed. More specifically, the desireddimensions of the structural assembly 10 can be determined first, andthe base and structural members 22, 24, 26, 28 can then be selected sothat the resulting preform 20 will correspond in configuration to thestructural assembly 10, i.e., the configuration of the preform 20 issuch that material can be machined or otherwise removed or reconfiguredto achieve the dimensions of the finished structural assembly 10.Advantageously, by constructing preforms 20 having dimensions andconfigurations closely or substantially approximating the predetermineddimensions and configuration of the corresponding structural assembly10, machining time and material waste can be minimized, making theassemblies 10 more economical to produce. The selection of materials andthe subsequent formation of preforms 20 and structural assemblies 10therefrom are described in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/092,675, titled“Preforms for Forming Machined Structural Assemblies,” filed Mar. 7,2002, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The structural assemblies 10 of the present invention can be used asstructural components of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, automobile, ormarine craft. For example, the structural members 10 can be panels,spars, beams, or other components that are joined to form a wing, wingsupport structure, fuselage, and the like of an airplane. Alternatively,the assemblies 10 can be used in buildings, machinery, and the like.

Generally, the structural assembly 10 is formed by connecting thestructural members 24, 26, 28 to the base member 22 and connecting thestructural members 24, 26, 28 to one another. The base member 22 and/orthe structural members 24, 26, 28 can then be machined or otherwisetrimmed or processed to the dimensions of the structural assembly 10.

The structural members 24, 26, 28 are connected to the base member 22 bywelding and, in particular, the structural members 24, 26, 28 arepreferably linear friction welded to the base member 22. For example, asshown in FIG. 1, each of the first and second structural members 24, 26is linear friction welded to the base member 22 by urging the structuralmember 24, 26 against a surface of the base member 22 andreciprocatingly moving the structural member 24, 26 against the basemember 22. For example, each structural member 24, 26 can bereciprocated in opposite directions 30, 32 while being urged orcompressed against the base member 22 in direction 38. The structuralmembers 24 can be urged against the base member 22 and reciprocated byone or more actuators (not shown) such as electric, hydraulic, orpneumatic actuators that are engaged to each structural member 24, 26 byadjustable jaws 50, clamps, a chuck, or another connection device.

The relative motion between each of the structural members 24, 26 andthe base member 22 generates frictional heating that plasticizes aportion of the structural member 24, 26 and/or the base member 22. Oncesufficient plasticization has occurred, the reciprocating motion of thestructural member 24, 26 is terminated. Plasticization can be detected,for example, by mechanical or optical measurements, or friction weldingcan be continued for a predetermined duration based on such factors asthe type of materials being joined, the size or type of the joint to beformed, and the compressive force therebetween. After the motion of thestructural member 24, 26 is terminated, the compressive force betweenthe structural member 24, 26 and the base member 22 can be maintained bycontinuing to urge the structural members 24, 26 in direction 38 againstthe base member 22 as the structural member 24, 26 and the base member22 cool to thereby form a friction weld joint 40 between the structuralmembers 24, 26 and the base member 22.

It is appreciated that the forces and ranges of motion required forlinear friction welding the structural members 24, 26 to the base member22 can vary according to such factors as the material of the members 22,24, 26, the dimensions of the members 22, 24, 26, the surface finishesof the members, and the like. For example, according to one embodimentof the present invention, in which the members 22, 24, 26 are formed ofaluminum, each of the structural members 24, 26 is urged in direction 38against the base member 22 with a force sufficient to provide a pressureof about 20,000 psi between the structural member 24, 26 and the basemember 22. The structural members 24, 26 are reciprocated about 0.1 inchalternately in directions 30, 32.

In other embodiments of the invention, the structural members 24, 26 canbe reciprocated in other directions while being urged against the basemember 22. Further, it is appreciated that while the motion of thestructural members 24, 26 is generally linear in the alternatingdirections, the motion of each structural member 24, 26 can have somenonlinear component of motion, e.g., so that the motion of eachstructural member 24, 26 defines an elliptical path. Alternatively, thestructural members 24, 26 can be connected to the base member 22 byother types of friction weld joints such as rotary friction weld joints.Preforms with rotary friction weld joints and methods therefor aredescribed in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/737,873, entitled “StructuralAssemblies and Preforms therefor Formed by Friction Welding,” filedconcurrently herewith, assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication, and the contents of which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

The first and second structural members 24, 26 are friction welded tothe base member 22 with a space 18 therebetween for receiving the thirdstructural member 28. More particularly, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4,each of the structural members 24, 26 defines a connection surface 34,36 extending from the base member 22 at an angle relative to the basemember 22. For example, the first and second structural members 24, 26can be trapezoidal, and the connection surfaces 34, 36 can be disposedat an oblique angle relative to the base member 22 so that the space 18therebetween tapers in a direction toward the base member 22 as shown.The space 18 can define a trapezoidal shape or other tapering shapes,such as a triangular shape or irregularly tapered space 18. Preferably,the space 18 as defined by the base member 22 and the first and secondstructural members 24, 26 corresponds in shape and dimensions to thethird structural member 28, which can also be trapezoidal. Further, theconnection surfaces 34, 36 can be shaped after the structural members24, 26 have been connected to the base member 22, thereby modifying theshape of the space 18. For example, after the structural members 24, 26have been friction welded to the base member 22, the structural members24, 26 can be machined so that the space is formed to the desired shape.Thus, the structural members 24, 26 can be disposed as rectilinear orotherwise shaped members and thereafter formed to the trapezoidal shapeshown in FIG. 2.

Thereafter, the third structural member 28 is welded to the base member22 and each of the first and second structural members 24, 26. Forexample, the third structural member 28 can be linear friction welded tothe members 22, 24, 26 by urging the third structural member 28 indirection 38 against the base member 22 and the connection surfaces 34,36 of the structural members 24, 26 and reciprocatingly moving the thirdstructural member 28 in the directions 30, 32. The third structuralmember 28 can be grasped by the jaws 50 and actuated by one or moreactuators, e.g., the same actuators used to move the other structuralmembers 24, 26. At least a portion of the third structural member 28and/or the base member 22, first structural member 24, or secondstructural member 26 is plasticized as previously described to formlinear weld joints 42, 44, 46 between the third structural member 28 andeach of the base member 22 and the first and second structural members24, 26.

Thus, each of the structural members 24, 26, 28 is friction welded tothe base member 22, and the third structural member 28 joins the firstand second structural members 24, 26, as shown in FIG. 3. It isappreciated that any number of the structural members 24, 26, 28 can beconnected to one or more of the base members 22 to form the preform 20and, hence, the structural assembly 10. After all of the structuralmembers 24, 26, 28 are installed, as illustrated in FIG. 3, thepartially formed structural assembly 10 comprises the preform 20, whichcorresponds to the dimensions and configuration of the structuralassembly 10 so that the preform 20 can be machined or otherwise trimmedor processed to form the structural assembly 10. The preform 20 can betrimmed by any known means, including using a manual or computer-guidedmachining device, such as a computer numeric control (CNC) machine.During machining, portions of the base member 22 and/or the structuralmembers 24, 26, 28 can be removed. Preferably, the preform 20 is trimmedaccording to predetermined dimensions corresponding to a desiredconfiguration of the structural assembly 10, as shown in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention inwhich four structural members 124, 126, 128 a, 128 b are friction weldedto a base member 122 to form a preform 120 (FIG. 7) and, subsequently, astructural assembly 110 (FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 5, the first andsecond structural members 124, 126 are linear friction welded to thebase member 122 by urging the structural members 124, 126 in direction138 against the base member 122 and reciprocatingly moving each of thestructural members 124, 126. For example, the structural members 124,126 can be moved alternately in opposite directions 130, 132.Alternatively, the structural members 124, 126 can be alternately movedin opposite directions 131, 133 or other alternate directions. As thestructural members 124, 126 are moved against the base member 122, thestructural members 124, 126 and/or the base member 122 are partiallyplasticized. The motion of the structural members 124, 126 is ceased,and the plasticized material cools and hardens to form linear frictionweld joints 140 between each of the structural members 124, 126 and thebase member 122. Alternatively, each of the first and second structuralmembers 124, 126 can be formed of multiple members that are weldedseparately to the base member 122. For example, each of the structuralmembers 124, 126 can be formed by linear friction welding multiplemembers, such as the members 24, 26, 28 described above in connectionwith FIGS. 1-4, to the base member 122.

Each of the third and fourth structural members 128 a, 128 b is frictionwelded to the base member 122 and at least one of the first and secondstructural members 124, 126. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, thefirst and second structural members 124, 126 define a space 118therebetween for receiving the third structural member 128 a. The thirdstructural member 128 a preferably corresponds to the shape and size ofthe space 118, as defined by base member 122 and connection surfaces134, 136 of the first and second structural members 124, 126, so thatthe third structural member 128 a can be linear friction welded to thebase member 122 and each of the first and second structural members 124,146, thereby joining the first and second structural members 124, 126.In particular, the first and second structural members 124, 126 candefine connection surfaces 134, 136 that at least partially define thespace 118. The third structural member 128 a can be disposed in thespace 118, urged in direction 138, and reciprocatingly moved in thedirections 130, 132, as shown in FIG. 6, to form linear friction weldjoints 142 a, 144 a, 146 a. The fourth structural member 128 b is urgedin direction 138 against the base member 122 and another connectionsurface 137 of the second structural member 124 that defines an anglerelative to the base member 122. The fourth structural member 128 b isurged against the base member 122 and the second structural member 126and reciprocatingly moved to form linear friction weld joints 142 b, 144b. Thus, the directions 130, 132 of reciprocation of the third andfourth structural members 128 a, 128 b can be the same as or opposite tothe directions of reciprocation of the first and second structuralmembers 124, 126.

The resulting preform 120, shown in FIG. 7, defines a more complexconfiguration than the preform 20 of FIG. 3. Preferably, the preform 120corresponds generally to the desired configuration of the structuralassembly 110, shown in FIG. 8, so that the structural assembly 110 canbe formed by trimming the preform 120 to the desired dimensions.Further, it is appreciated that fewer or greater numbers of thestructural members 124, 126, 128 a, 128 b can be welded to the basemember 120 to form the preform 120 and the structural assembly 110. Forexample, additional structural members similar to the first and secondstructural members 124, 126 can be linear friction welded to the basemember 122 to form additional spaces similar to the space 118.Additional structural members similar to the third and fourth structuralmembers 128 a, 128 b can be welded in the spaces to the base member 122and one or more of the structural members previously welded to the basemember 122.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the preform 120 andstructural assembly 110 are generally formed by linear friction weldingstructural members 124, 126 to a base member 122 and then linearfriction welding additional structural members 128 a, 128 b to both thebase member 122 and the previously welded structural members 124, 126.Thus, each of the structural members 124, 126, 128 a, 128 b is connectedto the base member 122 and the other structural members 124, 126, 128 a,128 b by the linear friction weld joints 142 a, 142 b, 144 a, 144 b.However, in other embodiments of the present invention, some of thestructural members can be joined by connections other than linearfriction weld joints. For example, as illustrated FIGS. 9-12, first andsecond structural members 224, 226 can be friction welded to a basemember 222 adjacently so that the structural members 224, 226 define aninterface 218 therebetween. The interface 218 can be defined bycontacting surfaces of the two adjacent structural members 224, 226, orthe structural members 224, 226 can be separated by a space at theinterface 224, 226. According to one embodiment of the invention, thespace is about one-tenth the thickness T of the structural members 224,226 as measured from the base member 222. For example, if the structuralmembers 224, 226 are about 1 inch thick, the interface 218 can bedefined by a space of about 0.1 inch between the structural members 224,226. Further, although only two structural members 224, 226 areillustrated, it is understood that any number of structural members canbe friction welded to the base member 222, such that each of thestructural members defines at least one interface relative to one ormore adjacent structural members.

After the first and second structural members 224, 226 are joined to thebase member 222, the structural members 224, 226 can be joined byfriction stir welding. For example, the members 224, 226 can be frictionstir welded with a rotatable friction stir welding tool 260 thatincludes a pin 262 extending from a shoulder 264. With the tool 260rotating in direction 266, the shoulder 264 (which is not shown in FIG.9 for purposes of illustrative clarity) is urged against the structuralmembers 224, 226 so that the pin 262 extends into the structural members224, 226. In some cases, the pin 262 can extend through the structuralmembers 224, 226 and into the base member 222, as shown in FIG. 10. Therotating tool 260 generates frictional heat with the structural members224, 226 and at least partially plasticizes the structural members 224,226. The tool 260 is moved through the structural members 224, 226 toform a friction stir weld joint 270. Friction stir welding is furtherdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,317 to Thomas, et al, the entirecontent of which is incorporated herein by reference.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the tool 260 can be moved through apath 272 that extends generally along the interface 218 of thestructural members 224, 226. The path 272 need not extend parallel to orcollinearly with the interface 218 but can instead extend through thestructural member(s) 224, 226 proximately to the interface 218 and canintersect the interface 218 so that the tool 260 passes partiallythrough each of the structural members 224, 226. Additionally, the path272 can define an entry 274 and exit 276 that are displaced from theinterface 218 to avoid discharge of the plasticized material from theends of the interface 218.

As discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1-4, the structural members224, 226 and the base member 222 can be joined in the configuration of apreform 220 that corresponds to the desired configuration of thestructural assembly 210 to be formed therefrom. Thus, the preform 220can be machined or otherwise trimmed or processed to predetermineddimensions corresponding to a desired configuration of the structuralassembly 210, as shown in FIG. 12.

It is also noted that the structural members can be configured invarious other configurations prior to friction stir welding. Forexample, FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a configuration in which structuralmembers 24 a, 26 a, 28 a have been linear friction welded to base member22 a. The configuration of the structural members 24 a, 26 a, 28 a andthe base member 22 a is similar to the one described above in connectionwith FIGS. 1-3, except that the structure member 28 a shown in FIG. 13has not been welded to the connection surfaces 34 a, 36 a of thestructural members 24 a, 26 a. Instead, the structural member 28 a isslightly smaller than the space 18 a between the structural members 24a, 26 a and therefore is not urged against the connection surfaces 34 a,36 a while being friction welded to the base member 22 a. Thus, smallgaps 29 a exist between the structural member 28 a and each of theconnection surfaces 34 a, 36 a. The structural member 28 a can then bewelded to the structural members 24 a, 26 a by friction stir welding.For example, a friction stir welding tool 260 a, having a pin andshoulder as described above in connection with the welding tool 260illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, can be rotated and moved generally alonginterfaces defined between the structural member 28 a and the connectionsurfaces 34 a, 36 a of the structural members 24 a, 26 a to formfriction stir weld joints 44 a, 46 a, respectively. In particular, thefriction stir welding tool 260 a can be urged against the thirdstructural member 28 a so that the pin of the rotating tool 260 aextends at least partially through each of the third structural member28 a and one of the structural members 24 a, 26 a. The tool 260 a isrotated in direction 31 a and urged in direction 33 a to plasticize themembers along the interfaces thereof and form a respective one of thefriction stir weld joints 44 a, 46 a. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, tool260 a can be configured so that the pin is disposed at an oblique anglerelative to the connection surfaces 34 a, 36 a. Advantageously, as theshoulder of the tool 260 a is urged against the third structural member28 a, the tool 260 a can urge the third structural member 28 a towardthe first or second structural members 24 a, 26 a, thereby at leastpartially closing the respective gap 29 a.

In addition, it is appreciated that the tool 260 a can be urged andmoved through the members 24 a, 26 a, 28 a in various directions to formthe friction stir weld joints 44 a, 46 a. For example, the tool 260 acan be urged along a longitudinal direction of the members 24 a, 26 a,28 a, i.e., in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction 33 aand parallel to the base member 22 a. The friction stir weld joints 44a, 46 a can be disposed to connect the portions of the interfaces of thestructural members 24 a, 26 a, 28 a that ultimately are used to form thestructural assembly, though the friction stir weld joints 44 a, 46 aneed not join the entire area of the connection surfaces 34 a, 36 a tothe third structural member 28 a.

It is appreciated that the granular structure of one or more of themembers 22, 24, 26, 28, 122, 124, 126, 128 a, 128 b, 222, 224, 226 canbe refined by the friction welding operations. Thus, in some cases, thewelding of the various members can enhance the material propertiesthereof, e.g., by increasing the strength, ductility, or corrosionresistance of one or more of the members. Further, the members can bethermally or chemically treated before, during, or after formation ofthe structural assemblies. For example, the members can be heat treatedindividually or in combination before being joined. Alternatively, or inaddition, the preforms 20, 120, 220 or structural assemblies 10, 110,210 formed from the members can be exposed to other processing torelieve stress or improve strength. Processing can include subjectingthe preforms and/or structural assemblies to a predetermined heatingschedule which can include annealing, quenching, aging, solutionannealing, and the like as is known in the art. Further, the preforms20, 120, 220 or structural assemblies 10, 110, 210 can be formed afterthe members have been welded to change the shape of the preforms 20,120, 220 or structural assemblies 10, 110, 210, for example, by bendingthe preforms 20, 120, 220 or structural assemblies 10, 110, 210 to adesired shape.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tomind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains havingthe benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions andthe associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that theinvention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed andthat modifications and other embodiments are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms areemployed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense onlyand not for purposes of limitation.

1. A preform for forming a structural assembly having a predeterminedconfiguration, the preform comprising: a base member; a plurality ofstructural members, each structural member being connected by a linearfriction weld joint to the base member, and each structural memberdefining a connection surface defining an angle relative to the basemember, the connection surface of each structural member correspondingto the connection surface of an adjacent structural member and beingconnected by a friction weld joint to the connection surface of theadjacent structural member, wherein the structural members areconfigured to correspond to the predetermined configuration of thestructural assembly.
 2. A preform according to claim 1 wherein theconnection surfaces of each of the adjacent structural members aredisposed at a corresponding angle relative to the base member.
 3. Apreform according to claim 1 wherein the connection surfaces of theadjacent structural members are joined by linear friction weld joints.4. A preform according to claim 1 wherein the connection surfaces ofadjacent structural members are joined by friction stir weld joints. 5.A preform according to claim 1 wherein the base member and thestructural members are formed of at least one of the group consisting ofaluminum, aluminum alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, steel,nickel-based alloys, copper-based alloys, and beryllium-based alloys. 6.A preform according to claim 1 wherein at least three of the structuralmembers are connected by linear friction weld joints to the base member,each of the at least three structural members defining a connectionsurface defining an angle relative to the base member, and theconnection surface of each of the at least three structural memberscorresponding to the connection surface of an adjacent structural memberand being connected by a friction weld joint to the connection surfaceof the adjacent structural member.
 7. A preform according to claim 1wherein each structural member is connected by one of the linearfriction weld joints to a first surface of the base member and theconnection surface of each structural member is disposed at an obliqueangle relative to the first surface of the base member.
 8. A preformaccording to claim 1 wherein first and second of the structural membersare joined to a first surface of the base member such that the first andsecond structural members define a space therebetween, and a third ofthe structural members being disposed in the space between the first andsecond structural members and linear friction welded to each of the basemember and the first and second structural members such that the thirdstructural member connects the first and second structural members.
 9. Apreform according to claim 8 wherein each of the first and secondstructural members are positioned with the connection surfaces thereofdisposed at an oblique angle relative to the first surface of the basemember such that the space between the connection surfaces of the firstand second structural members tapers in a direction toward the basemember.